From Slate & Gimme Gimme Disco to the CBS-broadcasted talk show, the British DJ sits down with DJ LIFE.
New York City – The doors open at Studio 41 in the CBS Broadcast Center on Manhattan’s West Side and, as the fans pour into the day’s second taping of “The Drew Barrymore Show,” they’re greeted with a spirited musical mashup. From her DJ-booth perch in the back of the room, DJ Holly T drops the Rihanna/Whitney agglomeration (“We Found Love”/“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”), and the formerly quiet room immediately brightens, the people begin to loosen up as if they’ve entered a party.
Just like the show the fans are about to witness, the initial musical salvo is upbeat, familiar, and affirming. And just like the experiences of many DJs, that’s a big part of Holly T’s regular job these days: Play the right music for the moment, get people grooving, elevate their mood. As a DJ, she may be one of many, but she’s working for a talk show that’s seen by more than 1.2 million people per airing. As De La Soul once offered, stakes is high.
The show morphs quickly from segment to segment. In one instant, Drew’s sidling up to an actor on the couch, sharing a moment of truth, then she’s hamming it up with ebullient sidekick Ross Mathews… or she’s welcoming professional wrestlers onto the set… or doing a promo for a new affiliate station. Accordingly, the set changes and brief downtimes require a quick musical perk-up, and Holly’s there to provide.
Along with uber-energetic MC Joey Koala, Holly keeps the energy flowing, as she drops the beats with hits from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Kesha, the Bee-Gees, and Run-DMC. The crowd loves it and, after Drew commiserates directly with the audience for a last time, everyone leaves the show knowing that they’ve had a unique experience – it’s been a day of genuine star power punctuated by insta-party vibes.
Working the show since this past September, Holly’s become accustomed to the syndicated-TV world and its fast-paced, high-stress, two-tapings-per-day environment. But, as she reports, she wouldn’t have it any other way and she’s grateful for the gig, which has taught her much and opened more professional opportunities. From spinning club gigs at Manhattan venues like the upscale Slate and playing rowdy, roving, retro parties like Gimme Gimme Disco, Holly’s been busy and 2024 promises even more activity.
It wasn’t always like this for the U.K.-born Deborah Holly Taylor, 39. In fact, as Holly tells it, many of the bigger moments in her life have come almost accidentally. From her early career as a professional dancer to her move to the States to her entry into the musical-artist world and, ultimately, to DJing, it’s been quite the adventure. DJ LIFE recently caught up with the British spinner to discuss working in and out of the TV world.
DJ LIFE: OK, Holly T… what’s your real name and where do you live?
Holly T: My government name is Deborah Holly Taylor – aka DJ Holly T. I have always secretly hated the name Debbie, so I go by my middle name Holly. I am 39-years old, but my industry age is 27. [laughs] Or not… and I live in the lovely and beautiful Garden State, Dirty Jersey. I truly believe I am a Jersey girl at heart.
DJ LIFE: Jersey girls usually don’t have British accents.
So, where did you grow up? Did you have music in your house?
Holly T: I grew up In North London – Finchley to be precise – and moved to the U.S. at 19-years old. I had no family here and really no plan. And yes, there was always music in the house. My mother was a mod who loved Motown and my father was a rocker.
DJ LIFE: Musically, what were your first influences and your first pursuits?
Holly T: Oh my God… Madonna! Also, Missy Elliot, Aaliyah, and Janet Jackson to name a few. I didn’t really pursue music early on – I was a professional dancer. I auditioned shortly after coming to the U.S. for the Alvin Ailey School. I spent four years there and realized I didn’t love dance like I thought I did… which, in a way, was kind of heartbreaking.
DJ LIFE: When did you move to New York? What was it like for you?
Holly T: I moved to the U.S. at 19 – insane story. I actually missed my flight home and called my mum to tell her I had decided to stay. So, of course, with that, I had to go to school or at least stay here as a student. I auditioned for Ballet Arts and then auditioned for Alvin Ailey. Training at Ailey was grueling. I loved it the first year, but as time went on, I realized it wasn’t for me. I realized I didn’t want to dance at 40-years old. Being a dancer is a very hard career path, especially on your body, and I also think I grew as a person. It was like a self-discovery phase, realizing maybe there was more I had to offer than just dance.
DJ LIFE: What kinds of DJs and dance music did you listen to in England?
Holly T: Growing up, I listened to Kiss-FM radio and was a big fan of Top Of The Pops, but that was mainly because I wanted to be a back-up dancer.
DJ LIFE: What did you think of DJs before you got into DJing?
Holly T: I am the youngest of three girls and my older sisters listened to garage, drum-n-bass, jungle, and happy hardcore. If I’m honest, I just “liked” it because I thought they were cool. If someone had told me one day I would be a DJ, I would look at them like they have two heads. It definitely wasn’t in the plans. DJing really came to me, growing up, especially in my teens. I listened to pop/hip hop. I wasn’t particularly a big house music fan – even though at 19 in New York, I was going to see Boris play at Exit and was hanging out at The Roxy, Crobar and Limelight. But when I met my publisher and EDM was coming up, I really fell in love with the genre – the anthems, the big vocals, I loved Avicii and Swedish House Mafia to name a couple.
DJ LIFE: So, what made you want to pursue making music?
Holly T: I was always writing songs, really just for me, with no intention behind making that into anything. But I started to pursue music a little later on in my late 20s when I met my publisher and spent four years writing toplines – this was my introduction into EDM. I was signed to Big Management, which was also my introduction into the industry. Although I didn’t get very far working with them, I learned how the industry works and how important it is to make yourself valuable. I would say this was a good training period for me.
DJ LIFE: How did things progress?
Holly T: Once I left Big Management in 2018, I self-released my first song “Just You & I,” and it made it to The Mint List on Spotify. I was very proud. I spent the next two years releasing music. I had great editorial support and radio play, and was even on the cover on Friday Cratediggers twice! It was awesome.
DJ LIFE: How did you begin to DJ?
Holly T: I was in Amsterdam for Amsterdam Dance Event and a fellow producer, who I had self-released my first song with, convinced me the importance of learning how to DJ. I think I was a little scared, to be honest, but I knew as soon as I began I had discovered a new passion.
DJ LIFE: On what gear?
Holly T: I began learning on CDJ-2000s and a Pioneer DJ DJM-900NXS2 mixer. He taught me the basics and, when I got home, I started working with another friend who taught me how to work with Serato. I, then, bought the Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR controller and started using rekordbox more. I favor both, depending on the gig.
DJ LIFE: When did you start to get DJ gigs and what kinds of gigs were they?
Holly T: My first gig was at the Queens Casino. I played a set I had spent weeks putting together and rehearsed every day. I was so insanely nervous and had real “imposter syndrome.” I think it was a tech-house set. I got a few compliments, but I am sure people were just being kind. Then, I did some real low-level gigs that were like six-hours long and paid miserably low. But, the great thing about these gigs was I was being paid something to practice for six hours. I would YouTube different mixing methods and try them on these gigs, and just get really creative. I would also ask club bookers if I could do a free hour gig. I always say to DJs coming up that the experiences are the real lessons. Knowing how to quickly adapt to new equipment you have never worked on, to problem-solve in under two minutes, to set up your board after the other DJ has just played and to build confidence and learn to read a crowd… it’s invaluable. You can’t learn these things in a lesson or just from YouTube.
DJ LIFE: What was your next step?
Holly T: After really honing my skills, I focused on how I marketed myself. I would reach out to anyone and everyone and repeatedly follow up. I began working non-exclusively with a few agencies and did anything from corporate events, celebrity parties, clubs, was a regular in Montauk and now I’m on TV. It, for sure, is a hustle, but hard work and a great attitude really pays off.
DJ LIFE: How did “The Drew Barrymore Show” opportunity happen? What was the show looking for in a DJ?
Holly T: I started the Drew show this past September. They were looking for fun songs to warm up the audience and create the right vibe before the star herself came on to the stage. I love to play well-known classics, usually Nu-Disco remixes for the show.
DJ LIFE: How many shows a week do you do? What are your responsibilities?
Holly T: There are six shows a week. This format is very different to a club gig. You have to pay a lot of attention to the flow and nuances of the show. There is almost more of a theatrical element to it. I also now wear an IFB [interruptible foldback device used in broadcast for monitoring and cueing] and so I need to pay attention to the director/AD, what’s being said in the show, and to the front-of-house sound guy. There are many moving parts and you have to realize you are a part of a team, not an individual act. I truly love this show and am extremely grateful for the learning experiences.
DJ LIFE: The audience seems to really react to you, especially when they’re first brought into the studio. What are some of the best tunes you use to get them fired up?
Holly T: I appreciate that, thank you! That’s also thanks to an amazing warm-up guy we have, Joey Koala. I think, between us, we make a great team and get the audience in and settled before the real show starts. I think classic Nu-Disco throwbacks seem to really work. I’ll play anything from Bruno Mars to Aretha Franklin.
DJ LIFE: Daily TV is a lot of pressure. It’s a very different kind of showbiz. Did the environment surprise you?
Holly T: I was extremely overwhelmed the first day. Like I said, I had an insane amount of “imposter syndrome.” There are way more moving parts and I had to quickly learn and adapt to the flow of the show. What initially surprised me were how many people worked on the show. I was totally green when it came to TV, period, so it’s all been a huge learning experience. But the crew are absolutely lovely and a great team, and I truly believe that’s because Drew is such a wonderful person, who sets the tone for the whole work environment. I feel honored to work for such a genuinely lovely, strong woman like her. She is, for sure, my inspiration.
DJ LIFE: What did you find most challenging to the
gig?
Holly T: Oh, I think the most challenging part is listening to directions from people whilst mixing music! Whilst also paying attention to the show and being mindful of the guests we have on and being sure to include their music.
DJ LIFE: Any memorable moments on the show for you? Have you had any guests on the show that you were a big fan of?
Holly T: So many memorable moments, Drew gives a great interview. I really enjoyed the Jada Pinkett Smith interview.
DJ LIFE: What gear and software are you using now?
Holly T: I still use the Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR controller and I use rekordbox software. I use this now, as it was the first controller that was recommended to me, but as time goes on, I will probably be working with the XDJ-XZ… so I can use both rekordbox and Serato. Obviously, when I play clubs, they usually have Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000s.
DJ LIFE: Where do you get your music?
Holly T: I jump around from record pool to record pool, but right now I really like Digital Music Pool. They use a lot of music from my favorite remixers, Andrew Marks, The Scene Kings, Kastra…
DJ LIFE: Which DJs do you admire now and why?
Holly T: My favorite female DJs right now are Brooke Evers, LP Giobbi, Peggy Gou and Sam Blacky. I love to see other women making leeway in still a male-dominated industry… whether people want to believe it or not. I really like James Hype, Sofi Tukker, Mau P, Fred again.., Black Coffee. The list is actually ridiculously long. I love an artist where everything is so cohesive, from the music to a great show performance, to the look and branding, and everything just makes sense.
DJ LIFE: For gigs outside the Drew show, what kind of music do you like to play? What are some things that you’re digging at the moment?
Holly T: If I am playing a gig where I have artistic control and given no format directions, I love to play NuDisco, tech-house and big-room tunes. Right now I am prepping for my Gimme Gimme Disco show, so… really old disco classics, I will try to squeeze some Purple Disco Machine or Sophie and The Giants in there in the last 20 minutes of the night if I’m allowed.
DJ LIFE: You still have artistic pursuits. For one, there’s a recently released version of your nu-disco tune, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” remixed by The Scene Kings. What goes into that side of your career?
Holly T: Overall production and songwriting, sometimes I will sing on the track if it suits my voice. We released a cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” last year and that song really suited my voice. Even though I love to record and sing, ultimately I am going with what is best for the direction of the record. As I mainly write the lyrics and sometimes sing vocals, I usually use an outside studio. But, to be honest, I have slowed down considerably on releasing music altogether. I now have a two-year-old, so between traveling for work, DJing up to five times a week and having a two-year-old – yes, I had a pandemic baby – I just don’t have that much time to commit to making and releasing music.
DJ LIFE: So, what other showbiz pursuits are you entertaining?
Holly T: I have a new cable venture, “The Holly T & Jeremy Carr Show,” where DJs come to confess, which airs on Spectrum Verizon Channel 34. You can find it on the app, Community Media of Staten Island, and also on my YouTube channel. I co-host with my very good friend and uber-talented singer Jeremy Carr – he’s known for his collaborations with music legends Avicii and The Chainsmokers. We present a dynamic talk show that dives headfirst into the vibrant worlds of electronic dance music, celebrity culture, and pop culture with a refreshing and irreverent twist. From exclusive interviews with top DJs and artists to hilarious takes on the latest celebrity gossip, our show promises to entertain and enlighten audiences in a way that only myself and Jeremy can deliver.
DJ LIFE: What’s next for you on the schedule? I understand you have some choice gigs coming up.
Holly T: Well, 2024 is starting to book up from fashion shows, private celebrity parties, clubs and more. On Aug. 5, I’ll be co-headlining a Gimme Gimme Disco party with Craig Belesi – aka CBJtheDream – to open your DJX show at HQ2 Nightclub in Atlantic City. New doors are opening for me and I am starting to tick off my dream venues to play. Everything is looking good so far. As long as I love doing this, I just want to continually grow in all ways possible, keep meeting dope people, playing the dream-list venues and keep traveling. I feel very lucky to be doing what I am doing and very grateful.